Sunday, January 27, 2013

PLANETESME PICKS: BEST BOOKS of 2012

It's that time, the great last round-up and round of applause for some of the more sumptuous reads of the past year, as the new offerings begin to spring forth, sure as crocuses. Though it feels as though more and more the shadow of marketing creeps into the creative realm of children's publishing, all the more brightly shine works of sincerity, substance and real risk. Children's books continue to be the source of great learning opportunity and an equalizer of education, genuine learning in an age of testing and stress-ting, and I hope these picks offer a reprieve and and a chance to savor. As I write, I imagine the Powers That Be at the American Library Association, choosing award winners, have titles spread on their table as they are on mine for the most distinguished contributions of 2012. With baited breath, we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what they decide, but here are my choices:

MORE by I.C. Springman, illustrated by Brian Lies (Houghton Mifflin). An avaricious magpie with a glinting eye fills his nest with bric-a-brac, while a worried mousie friend looks on as the avian maven crosses the line between collector and hoarder. Children will enjoy picking out the familiar tiny treasures being piled up, and every double-page spread lends itself to a little "I Spy" action (Lego, Matchbox car, thumbtack, barrette?). Meanwhile, the illustrator deals in subtle visual acrobatics, moving us from light to shadow and back to light and makes clever use of busy double-paged spreads opening up to the relief of cleared visual space. Though more empathetic than preachy, this book is ultimately moving and timely for readers of any age living in a country where so many take more than their share and where people are increasingly feeling the burden of their possessions. Pictures tell a thousand words in the limited storage space of 32 pages, and most effectively tell a parable of "less is more." This bird's trash definitely becomes our treasure.

THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE: AN AESOP FABLE retold and illustrated by Helen Ward (Templar). Realistically, I don't know how many books featuring mice the Caldecott committee is allowed to recognize without declaring an infestation (ONCE A MOUSE,
SEVEN BLIND MICE,
THE STORY OF JUMPING MOUSE,
ALEXANDER AND THE WIND-UP MOUSE and
OWEN
spring to mind), and Aesop and his fable form has also already enjoyed time in the awards spotlight (LION AND THE MOUSE,
FABLES), but that does not undermine the undeniable craft that went into this tome. With a line so delicate that it could only be compared to the great Demi (who really did illustrate with a mouse's whisker), with the turn of every page we are entered into a collided world of a naturalist and an artist, a study in shocking focus and detail (is the sleeping fawn's back going to rise and fall with every breath? It wouldn't be the least bit surprising). The illustrator has the eye and mystifying, almost improbable talent for perspective of a Van Allsburg, but with more color. The mouse figures are at once impeccably realistic and rendered with affection. In the end, when we give a child a picture book, we want it to be somehow gorgeous. This author/illustrator delivers. If the criteria for the Caldecott was sheer visual beauty, Ward would probably have to win. Gee, what's a girl got to do to take a Caldecott around here?!

Moving from the revered college of Chris Van Allsburg to the celebratory kindergarten of Mo Willems and the straightforward school of common sense that is Peter Reynolds, we have hello, hello! by Matthew Cordell (Hyperion). Here, put down the cell phone and tune in to the simple story of a little girl living in a world of beeping-and-booping, who discovers the power of unplugging and the real meaning of connection. Like Springman's MORE mentioned above, it is a story for our times, and the unfettered, jubilant line is just right for the message that would make Thoreau proud. I would imagine this title is a serious contender for a major award, but regardless of what any committees decide, he has an unusually expressive line, and I stand by my belief that Cordell is the William Steig of the new Millennium. He is also, to my mind, the author/illustrator of the year, his hard work evidenced by so many wonderful offerings. As far as I'm concerned, he can accept his accolades now or later. But hello! He deserves it now.

In fact, connection with nature has been a recurrent theme in the best of this year's crops, notably STEP GENTLY OUT by Helen Frost and Rick Leider (Candlewick), in which sparse, lilting verse and close-up photography take us on a nature walk from a bug's-eye view. Terrific end-notes describing each creature strongly supplement the elemental sense of wonder, reverence and surprise this book induces, just right for it's intended audience (watch your own child grow wide-eyed, safely face-to-face with an equally curious yellow-jacket!). This book feels very fresh, modern and just right for a new generation of kids looking at a green world when turning away from glowing screens.

Then there is OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW: A FIRST BOOK OF NATURE by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Mark Hearld (Candlewick), which is now on my must-add-to-any-newborn-baby-basket list, because why wouldn't you want to give someone new to the planet such a pleasant field guide?

Oversized and beautiful, the multi-media illustrations are relatively muted in palette, full of the gentleness and stylized interest that bring Brian Wildsmith to mind. Meanwhile, the author! If Matthew Cordell is picture book author of the year, Nicola Davies is certainly non-fiction author of the year. I noticed in a review, to my great consternation, that OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW was criticized for not having "flow" befitting of poetry, and that is probably because it is not poetry, but in fact great prose in which it matters how it is read aloud; you really have to channel the author and read it not as someone wearing a beret and black turtleneck, but with the zeal of a new grandparent with a small hand in your own, whispering sometimes, pointing sometimes, explaining sometimes. Davies wrote a book on POOP some years ago (and yes, I know it's about poop and that is undignified in some circles, but when you work with seven-year-old-boys you really ought to know a lot about poop) and I swear I've read it at least eleven times, and not only because I keep it in my bathroom. Her writing is always so engaging, and so well-researched, and so
genuine in her enthusiasm for her subject, it is absolutely contagious
in the nicest way. She followed it up with several books about nature and living things of high interest to children (WHAT'S EATING YOU? PARASITES: THE INSIDE STORY and
EXTREME ANIMALSJUST THE RIGHT SIZE: WHY BIG ANIMALS ARE BIG AND WHY LITTLE ANIMALS ARE LITTLE
and TALK, TALK, SQUAWK: A HUMAN'S GUIDE TO ANIMAL COMMUNICATION) that belong in every elementary school library's nonfiction section. This year, she also has an absolutely wonderful "uncover and discover" lift-the-flap series out for the littlest page-turners, WHO'S LIKE ME?,
WHO LIVES HERE?,
WHAT WILL I BE? and my favorite,
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Such fun to see the peacock's tail open up to reveal full plumage, and the little eyeball-looking thing turn into a frog!
I'm sorry, I know we're all a little broke, but if you have a preschool child you need ALL of them, because they are the most developmentally-appropriate series of the year, and so colorful and cunning, too.

To the reader/critic who missed a more poetic cadence, I wish I could recommend another great book of this past year, WATER SINGS BLUE: OCEAN POEMS by Kate Coombs, illustrated by Meilo So (Chronicle):

Me oh my, such drama captured, and such wit and originality, as the hermit crab takes on the persona of an ocean realtor, a sea urchin falls in love, and the sand tells its own story, all perfectly matched to the flowing art of Meilo So in watercolors (what else?), the master whose magic makes every wave in the ocean as unique as every shell on the shore. A beautiful collection of poetry that is one of the best of the year, and such a warm reading reprieve from the wintry weather.

But winter it is, which brings me to my favorite book of 2012, TWELVE KINDS OF ICE by Ellen Bryan Obed, illustrated by Barbara McClintock (Houghton Mifflin), one of the rare samples in the under-represented genre of memoir in children's books (my own notwithstanding).

Now, I know full well that the Newbery Award for distinguished contribution to writing in a children's book usually--and fittingly--goes to a work of fiction, and usually a nice chunky bit of fiction, with chapters and a standard 5.9 x 8.5-ish format, and for that, there are many worthy contenders for excellence, most notably buzzed about this year being
WONDER by R.J. Palacio (Knopf), a paean to kindness about a homeschooled boy with a facial deformity who goes to middle school for the first time;
THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by Patricia Castelao (HarperCollins) based on the true story of a gorilla forced to live in a shopping mall, embodies the power of friendship and is a great animal story to boot (though still was a little too sad for me);
THREE TIMES LUCKY by Sheila Turnage (Dial), a murder-mystery with a cast of zany and regional-voiced characters that would do the ghosts of past Newberys proud (see Kate DiCamillo's BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, Ingrid Law's
SAVVY and Susan Patron's
THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY to see what I mean); or my personal favorite of such novels this year, MAY B. by Caroline Starr Rose (Schwartz & Wade), a compulsively readable historical fiction/survival story cliffhanger in which a girl helping out at a homestead in order to earn money for her family is abandoned at the onset of winter, with little food and the wolves closing in. Best thing since the most biting and exciting chapters of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and written in that strange, moody why-is-this-written-in-poetry-form-when-it's-slearly-prose-format-that-is-so-overused-but-has-so-few-words-on-a-page-it-makes-things-irresistably-palatable-for-reluctant-readers-so-I-don't-even-care-anymore-I-give-up text layout that young readers so enjoy.

But getting back to TWELVE KINDS OF ICE. I pine for the days of real surprises, when, say, a picture book could win a Newbery award (see Nancy Willard's A VISIT TO WILLIAM BLAKE'S INN or William Steig's DR. DE SOTO). Sometimes there is prose that is just so sparkling, and does just exactly what it sets out to do, and deserves reward regardless of format. In this case, Obed sets out to really introduce us to her father, but uses the vehicle of her childhood experience of the changing stages of ice in Maine, as it moves from the pane of glass ("Second Ice") to a homemade rink ("Garden Ice") to the ice of our dreams, and our memories. It can be read as a book about ice skating, winter sports, or a family, or it can be read as a book about the passing of time, sure as Peter Pan. In short, this conversational, reminiscent, well-structured little snowflake of a book performs the triple axel of using writing to connect generations; it is nostalgic in turns, but McClintock's spot illustrations, though keeping with her signature lithograph-like lines, depicts modern children and will hold interest for modern children as well . Sometimes poignant, some times sharp as a skate blade, sometimes warm as a cup of cocoa against crackling joints, Obed uses her skill as a writer to its fullest power: it keeps something alive, it preserves...and shows us that writing can do that.

Speaking of preservation. Alive in our memories are the protesters in the 1963 Birmingham
Children's March, captured in all their primary source glory in the
wonderful nonfiction WE'VE GOT A JOB: THE 1963 BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S MARCH by Cynthia Levinson (Peachtree).

When the grown-ups failed to desegregate the powder-keg that was Birmingham as civil rights was still just getting a foothold, thousands of brave children followed Dr. Martin Luther King's suggestion to flood the jails with their presence. The bravery of four of these participants is the focus of this well-researched documentary-in-a-book, also overflowing with back and white photographs from the period. It's meaty, intelligent writing, far from facile, laid out in digestible columnar format to keep it from overwhelming middle-schoolers, who will be inspired by this important chapter in both children's and African American history. With the new, national Common Core curriculum putting an emphasis on non-fiction, this is a prime example of what good literature in that context should look like; besides being a read for kids completely in line with a middle-schooler's developmental need to envision and make a difference, there are so many segues for discussion and teachable moments, so much so that I bought a dozen hardcover copies out of my own pocket to perfectly supplement our 7th grade reading of Christopher Paul Curtis' THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM, 1963 and was so pleased to discover the supplementary website that includes a really excellent teacher's guide. The children so looked forward to their time to read it and came up with so many good questions of their own. This book came out earlier in the year and I certainly hope it is remembered, along with the history it holds.

You know I'm a sucker for a good picture book biography, one of the most exciting genres of children's literature, and it so happens that two of the best this year also focus on African American (a.k.a. American!) history, as well as the power of artists to create change. HARLEM'S LITTLE BLACKBIRD: THE STORY OF FLORENCE MILLS by Renée Watson, illustrated by Christian Robinson (Random House), follows the timeline of a woman who, at the turn of the century as a little girl, thought her voice chased a storm away, and wondered, "if my voice is powerful enough to stop the rain, what else can it do?" Turns out, quite a bit, as Florence's dancing and singing paved the way for other performers, and tried to clear away the clouds of Jim Crow. Bold and folksy was Florence, and so are the illustrations. See if you don't cry at the last double-page spread, as a sky full of blackbirds careens over Harlem. Too few children (and grown-ups!) know about the Harlem Renaissance and the impossibly wonderful contributions made; let this open the book on that knowledge (and you can also find supplemental information/treasures on Florence Mills here). Also, check out the biography IT JES' HAPPENED: WHEN BILL TRAYLOR STARTED TO DRAW by Don Tate, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (Lee & Low);

I have been a long-time fan of Christie's distinctive and recognizable style since he decorated Tony Medina's LOVE TO LANGSTON, but this year's offering suggests a departure and versatility, as Christie seems to be new and refreshed, channeling the style of the painter Traylor in the illustrations of his life. Well-matched is the writing by Don Tate, which is really excellent; it's hard to write about the life of someone without oversimplifying it, and Tate definitely has the gift of condensation, taking a very big story and pulling out the most important parts for the intended audience and delivering in the most direct language, but still keeping it warm and human and interesting (bringing to mind the great read-aloud by Kathleen Krull about Cesar Chavez, HARVESTING HOPE). The refrain "he saved up memories of these times deep inside" comes around in a most satisfying circle for both reader and the subject of the book. Cornered by loneliness and misfortune, Traylor draws from his past to create a future as an artist, and offers us evidence of the most hopeful sort that things can get better. Don Tate is a shoe-in for the Steptoe Award, but regardless, we can all look forward to whatever next this new talent pens.

And finally, though I would be very, very surprised if this won any big awards, I must share one of my favorite books of the year, MEET AT THE ARK AT EIGHT by Ulrich Hub, illustrated by Jorg Muhle (Eerdmans).

There are a great many dissertations written about the subversiveness of children's literature and a great many conversations had, and anyone claiming to be interested in the subject and doesn't have a look at this title is lying. In this short chapter book, a rather agnostic little penguin is stowed away on Noah's Ark by two friends who, while not necessarily in agreement with their associate's belief system, would rather not see him perish. All the while, the threesome is relentlessly hectored by a conscientious seagull, who smells something fishy in the state of Denmark (or on board the ark, as the case may be). The spot illustrations are cartoonish and the banter verges on silly, but I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the content as flippant (or flipper-ant, again, as the case may be). In many ways, this book is extremely brave, realistically depicting the tug-of-war between science and religion, modeling critical thinking and putting in print the kind of existential "why?" questions that are very real and pressing to children in a frank, conversational context, even offering more than one answer, which for some, is wonderful, and for others, may be a Horseman of the Apocalypse. In fact, this book is as irreverent, provocative and unconventional as a Mel Brooks movie, and won't find happy landings at many of the more religiously conservative homes in America (for those folks, FIRST PRAYERS by Troy Howell might be a more proper pick). In fact, it doesn't seem very American at all, mostly because it's not, the team is German, making it eligible for a Batchelder Award at best. I'd like to believe it would. But like the penguin, my faith is not absolute. I am, however, absolutely sure that a certain kind of reader will both laugh out loud several times, and think in new directions. I did. Share with your young scientist, nihilist or existentialist.

And of course, I will keep my fingers crossed that my dear Johnny finds all his friends. But that is definitely a biased opinion, one that every author/illustrator has for his or her own. Insert smiley/winky face here.

Besides these "best of's," more favorites for you and your families and students to discover and savor are in the list below, the 2012 PlanetEsme Picks, chosen from hundreds upon hundreds of titles this past year for their exemplary charm, value in classrooms, artistic excellence and consideration of their intended audience! Please excuse that I have not included many great additions to series here, or the list would become unwieldy; I trust that when you find a favorite, you will follow the author where he or she may lead. Truly, there is a great education for all children to be found within these bindings. Please share your opinions, additions to the list, and general book-loving enthusiasm in the comments below. Congratulations in advance to the winners of the ALA awards, and to everyone who reads aloud to children, whether the books have medals on them or not, as we strive to connect children to the best the world has to offer, and to each other.

PICTURE BOOKS

APPLE CAKE:A
RECIPE FOR LOVE by Julie Paschkis (Harcourt)

AUNTIE YANG’S GREAT SOYBEAN PICNIC by Ginnie Lo (Lee &
Low)

BABY BEAR SEES BLUE by Ashley Wolff (Beach Lane)

BACK TO FRONT AND UPSIDE DOWN! by Claire Alexander
(Eerdmans)

BAT AND RAT by Patrick Jennings (Abrams)

BEAR HAS A STORY TO TELL by Philip C. Stead (Roaring Brook)
BEAR IN LOVE by Daniel Pinkwater (Candlewick)

ELECTRIC BEN:THE AMAZING LIFE AND TIMES OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN by Robert Byrd (Dial)
THE ELEPHANT'S FRIEND AND OTHER TALES FROM ANCIENT INDIA by Marcia WIlliams (Candlewick)
THE EXTRAORDINARY MUSIC OF MR. IVES by Joanne Stanbridge (Houghton Mifflin)

FAITH:FIVE
RELIGIONS AND WHAT THEY SHARE by Dr. Richard and Michele Steckel (Kids Can
Press)

FIRST GIRL SCOUT:THE LIFE OF JULIETTE GORDON LOW by Ginger Wadsworth (Clarion)

FIRST MOTHERS by Beverly Gherman and Julie Downing (Clarion)

FIRST PRAYERS: A CELEBRATION OF FAITH AND LOVE by Troy
Howell (Sterling)
FORGET-ME-NOTS: POEMS TO LEARN BY HEART selected by Mary Ann Hoberman (Little Brown)
FREEDOM SONG: THE STORY OF HENRY "BOX" BROWN by Sally M. Walker (HarperCollins)

6 comments:

Here's a few that are well received at our school: The K-1st grade students at my schooled really loved I'M BORED by Michael Ian Black. Currently reading STAY: The True Story of Ten Dogs by Michaela Muntean, which the older 3rd-4th grade really enjoy.In chapter book land, 5th graders liked POTTERWOOKIEE by Obert Skye and THE SPINDLERS by Lauren Oliver.

Esme, I stopped by to get your website address because I'm reviewing Seed by Seed at Book Aunt today, and lo and behold, I find you talking about Water Sings Blue (plus a lot of other cool books). Thank you!

About Me

Welcome to the Wonderful World of PlanetEsme! I'm a professional readiologist™ who thinks children's trade literature and read-aloud is our best hope for equalizing education in America. I hope this book-a-day plan will be a boon to anyone who would like to play a supporting character in a child's reading life story. This blog is a supporting page to sister site PlanetEsme.com, where you will find a silly amount of additional reviews, thematic lists, links, and much more...everything you need to become an expert in children's literature.

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